Businessman John Hemmes, founder of Merivale Group, dies, 83

JOHN Hemmes, founder of Merivale Group, Australia’s largest privately owned restaurant group, has died at his harbourside Vaucluse mansion The Hermitage, in Sydney. He was 83.

Hemmes has been bedridden with multiple myeloma for more than a year. He died with his family by his side. Hemmes had long been ill but stable. His condition began to deteriorate last week.

Merivale Group, now run by only son Justin Hemmes, operates a swag of inner-Sydney entertainment venues and restaurants including Establishment, The Ivy and Coogee Pavilion. The empire — estimated to be worth $500 million, was built on John Hemmes property investment nous.

Born in the Dutch East Indies in 1931, the nascent entrepreneur left Holland following World War II with $20 in his pocket. He moved to New Zealand, then Australia, where, with his Australian wife Merivale, he slowly built the fashion retail brand House of Merivale and Mr John.

John and Merivale Hemmes targeted 18-25 year olds.

“The House of Merivale was not just a shop; it was a phenomenon that significantly influenced a generation of young Australians’ attitude to shopping and the fashion experience,” according to the History Council of NSW.

However it was in Sydney restaurants, bars and nightclubs the Hemmes family made their greatest impact on Australia, building a group of pubs, stand-alone restaurants and multi-outlet complexes that employed and nurtured some of the Australian restaurant industry’s finest talents.

John Hemmes is succeeded by his wife, Merivale, son Justin and daughter Bettina.

Source:  The Australian - 2 March 2015